Coral Reproduction Staff Biologist, Summerland Key, FL
(Posted 04/02/2021)

Target Audience: Technician/Staff


Institution: Mote Marine Laboratory

Institutional Web Link: http://www.mote.org

Description of Internship or Research Opportunity: Primary Function: This position is primarily to support Mote’s coral sexual propagation activities, including assisting with coral spawning (in field, on land), fertilization, larval settlement, recruit rearing, and grow-out of sexually-produced corals from any stony coral species IC2R3 may work with.

Primary Duties:
─ Assist with restoration and/or research objectives involving the sexual propagation of corals
─ Oversee daily care and maintenance of sexual recruits and their raceway habitats
─ General coral husbandry tasks include siphoning and cleaning raceways, employing algal mitigation strategies, maintaining grazing organisms, administering Lugol treatments, providing appropriate lighting schemes, monitoring water quality parameters, feeding coral recruits, building settlement racks, and maintaining readiness of the outdoor nursery in the instance of unfavorable weather
─ Assist with coral separation and re-mounting to new substrates
─ Assist with optimization of labelling schemes and record keeping
─ Assist with maintaining a safe, clean, organized indoor wetlab space
─ Assist with taking coral samples for genetic and research purposes
─ Conduct data collection, entry and analysis associated with research
─ Conduct microfragmentation when necessary
─ Assist with macro/micrograph and fluorescence imaging
─ Mentor interns
─ Maintain an organized nursery and inventory of corals
─ Manage deliverables associated with specific funding efforts
─ Assist with research and restoration activities related to coral reproduction in the field
─ Manage daily operations of an ex situ spawning system

Additional duties will include assisting with various tasks related to the daily operation of a full-service marine laboratory, assist with field and lab support to visiting scientists, and assist with outreach and education activities as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
─ Some knowledge of the corals found within the Florida Reef Tract
─ Participate in heavy physical exertion while swimming or diving or hauling gear
─ Lift heavy objects or equipment up to 50 lbs
─ Ability to work under strenuous conditions in the field or on land, at night for long hours in a tropical climate during spawning season
─ Working knowledge of computer software (Windows, Microsoft Office)
─ Normal hours are 8:00-5:00 M-F; however, weekend and evening hours will be required at times, especially during spawning season and sometimes during ongoing experiments
Minimum Qualifications or Requirements:
─ MSc degree in the marine or biological sciences from an accredited college or university (those with a BSc degree will be considered if they meet all other minimum requirements)
─ Previous research diving experience
─ Experience working with corals and aquaria systems
─ Experience working in R
─ SCUBA certification of Open Water
─ Valid license to drive in the State of Florida

Expected Start Date: early June 2021
Duration: 1 year with the possibility to extend depending on performance and funding



Funding Source: Other


How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply on line at https://mote.smapply.org/prog/job_applicants or mail a single package including cover letter, resume or c.v. and the contact information for three references to Mote Marine Laboratory, Attn: Human Resources, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 before 5pm April 16th, 2021.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other protected category. Mote participates in E-Verify


Application Closing Date: 4/16/2021

Opportunity Starts: 0000-00-00

Opportunity Ends: 0000-00-00